CATCHING Synonyms: 407 Similar and Opposite Words

catching 1 of 2

adjective

ˈka-chiŋ

Definition of catching

as in infectious

capable of being passed by physical contact from one person to another a cold is often catching before the symptoms even begin

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in spreading

exciting a similar feeling or reaction in others a catching smile that instantly puts patients at ease

Synonyms & Similar Words

catching

2 of 2

verb

present participle of catch

as in grabbing

to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly we tried to catch the kitten before she could sneak out the door

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in getting

to become affected with (a disease or disorder) you'll catch the flu for sure if you don't get a shot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in stopping

to bring (something) to a standstill I caught myself just as I was about to step into the freshly poured concrete

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in securing

to put securely in place or in a desired position caught back her hair with a barrette

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in knowing

to have a clear idea of I didn't catch the point you were making about our nation's foreign policy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in tricking

to cause to believe what is untrue a number of media outlets were caught by the woman's hard-luck story

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in encountering

to come upon face-to-face or as if face-to-face I'll catch you at the library tomorrow

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in noticing

to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes I looked out the window just in time to catch the neighbor's dog digging up my flower bed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in chasing

to move fast enough to get even with despite the suspect's considerable lead, the fleet-footed police officer was able to catch him and make an arrest

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

falling short

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of catching

Adjective

The Braves gained four years and millions of dollars by substituting Olson for Freeman at first base – even though one of those traded was slugging catching prospect Shea Langeliers. — Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2026 The designs are eye catching and beautiful, inspired by South Florida's beaches and ocean water. — Najahe Sherman, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026

Verb

Situated between busier coastal destinations this idyllic town and its marshes will immediately transport you back to your early carefree days playing in creeks, digging in pluff mud, catching crawfish, and tossing cast nets. — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 16 July 2026 The starting pitcher fears are heightened by the vulnerability of the man who is catching them. — Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for catching

Recent Examples of Synonyms for catching

Adjective

Argentina's greatest strengths lie in their infectious unity and fierce mentality.

— Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 18 July 2026
In Orange County, the Florida Department of Health in Orange County maintains infectious-disease surveillance and disease-reporting services for residents and visitors, which is exactly how local systems stay ready without alarming the public.

— Luis E. Caso Vega, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2026

Definition of infectious

Verb

Permethrin is a spray that works on clothing and gear to keep ticks from grabbing you, but do not put it directly on your skin!

— Amanda Roome, The Conversation, 16 July 2026
As recently as 2021, he was accused of grabbing the mother of one of his children and throwing her to the ground.

— Candace Buckner, New York Times, 16 July 2026

Definition of grabbing

Verb

Travel may be getting more expensive, but that isn’t stopping Americans from splurging on bucket-list vacations.

— Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2026
Maria Alejandra Betancur said her father, Carlos Hugo Betancur, was recently detained while stopping for gas at a Marathon station on Northwest 58th Street in Doral.

— Ivan Taylor, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026

Definition of stopping

Verb

Conventional wisdom would suggest that in deep blue Broward, the only true Democratic stronghold in South Florida, Cervera would have an uphill battle securing the seat he’s held for just over a year.

— Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
And last year, someone breached Datadog's own source code, which is a pretty uncomfortable look for a company whose whole pitch is securing everyone else.

— Todd Gordon, CNBC, 14 July 2026

Definition of securing

Verb

The challenge is no longer finding new avenues for growth, but knowing which ones to pursue without repeating the gradual dilution that weakened the brand before.

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 16 July 2026
The men who get real value out of knowing their T levels aren’t the ones chasing a higher number.

— Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 16 July 2026

Definition of knowing

Verb

What’s far more eloquent is the episode with the witch Circe (a terrific Samantha Morton), whose habit of tricking and transforming men into animals is rendered in evocatively physical, body-horror-esque imagery.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 15 July 2026
From there Nebula chained a handful of steps to escalate the dangling pointer into full control, ending by tricking the kernel into executing their code as root.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 8 July 2026

Definition of tricking

Verb

Like the book, the movie follows Greek king Odysseus (Matt Damon), who spends 10 years at war and another decade lost at sea, encountering cyclops, sirens and giants along the way.

— Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 18 July 2026
And streaming has introduced Meyers’ films to younger viewers who are encountering them for the first time.

— Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026